"You can lament the shortage of skilled workers – or you can do something about it!"
The Campus Technik in Grenchen combines technical education and training with industry expertise under one roof. (All images: Josua Lai)
The young man takes a critical look at the finished component. Then, with a steady hand, he measures the edges again – and finally nods with satisfaction. Standing next to him is Jan Sutter, Head of Training at Swissmechanic Section Solothurn. He shares the apprentice's assessment. “Looks really good,” says Sutter appreciatively and moves on to the next workstation. There, the work of the next apprentice is already waiting to be inspected by Sutter.
A superlative workplace: the training centre on the Campus Technik impresses with its state-of-the-art equipment.
Part 1 of the series “Flagship project for the STEM sector”
This edition of ToolNews is something special: it marks the beginning of a three-part series in which we take a look behind the scenes at the Technology Campus. This is an innovative and forward-looking training and further education centre in Grenchen, which serves as a talent incubator for the STEM professionals (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) of tomorrow and has been supported by Brütsch/Rüegger Tools since its inception.
The training centre, where Sutter walks attentively through the rows of apprentices, is unrivalled in Switzerland: the workstations are state-of-the-art and equipped to the highest standard. The state-of-the-art tools and machines create an optimal learning and working environment.
A flagship project
The spacious workshop forms the technical heart of the Campus Technik in Grenchen, the centre of excellence for training and further education in the STEM sector. The educational institution, which officially opened its doors this August, is a real melting pot of expertise: basic technical training, further education and selected industry representatives are all brought together under one roof.
Overall project manager Enzo Armellino, who is also managing director of Swissmechanic Solothurn, sums up the mission of the Campus Technik perfectly: “Our teaching facility is the answer to the many urgent questions that Swiss industry is currently facing,” he explains. One of the most important questions is undoubtedly this: what can the Swiss STEM sector and its companies do to counteract the shortage of skilled workers? The answer is clear: “We need to make technical professions more attractive again and thus bring fresh blood into companies,” explains Armellino.
The next step is to deepen the skills taught in basic education, including through further training and degree programmes. That is why, in addition to Swissmechanic, the HFTM (Höhere Fachschule für Technik Mittelland) is also located on the campus. “And last but not least, we want to promote knowledge transfer with industry to ensure that the needs of companies are directly incorporated into our educational programmes.” In addition to the SWISSPRECISION ACADEMY (the training centre of the Swiss Turning Parts Industry Employers' Association), this role is performed by selected companies that have moved into the upper floor of the campus building. In short: “At Campus Technik, we bring together what belongs together, thus representing the entire value chain of technical professions in our country,” summarises Enzo Armellino. Or, as Samuel Schmid, former Federal Councillor and President of the Patronage Committee, puts it: “You can lament the shortage of skilled workers – or you can do something about it!”
Of course, Brütsch/Rüegger Tools supports the Technology Campus with all kinds of working materials.
A lot of passion required
Since this summer, the Campus Technik has been officially operational as a new hotspot for training the technicians of tomorrow and as a hub for the technical industry. At the beginning of November, the public had the opportunity to see for themselves: on the open day, interested visitors were invited to take a look at the impressive new building at Grenchen railway station. This opportunity was eagerly seized: around 1,200 people strolled through the workshop and the training and company premises. The spacious bistro, where apprentices and students usually eat lunch side by side, was also well attended. The enthusiasm for the new competence centre was clearly palpable, recall Jan Sutter and Enzo Armellino. “People really understand what we are all about and are thrilled that we are providing a genuine service to both the technical professional world and the region.”
Taking off together: the large vision board in the training centre shows that together, they want to reach new heights.
Initially, the vision of the Campus Technik was dismissed as a fantasy in many quarters. “When we set the investment volume at around five million Swiss francs, some people thought we were megalomaniacs,” says Enzo Armellino with a smile. Juggling the costs and raising the necessary capital were therefore among his main tasks for many years. This required a lot of soliciting support and perseverance. Ultimately, however, the vision of those responsible for the campus prevailed: just under two million came from the canton of Solothurn, and the rest was raised through various partnerships: Thanks to generous discounts, donations and the goodwill of equipment suppliers, machine manufacturers, suppliers and others, a net investment of around four million was made. In addition to the start-up financing of 500,000 Swiss francs from the city of Grenchen, the meeting with Ernst Thomke in 2018 was also decisive. The well-known industrial manager agreed at the time to build the campus. For Thomke, who himself began an apprenticeship as a mechanic as a young man, promoting the vision of the Campus Technik is a matter close to his heart.
Partners with vision
Brütsch/Rüegger Tools was also one of the early supporters of the Campus Technik and was even the first industrial partner to pledge its support. Olaf Sprich, Head of Sales and member of the Executive Board of the leading tool partner, recalls: "The Campus Technik project was presented to participants at the Swissmechanic 2021 delegates' meeting in Martigny.
Inspired by the idea and vision of creating something unique and forward-looking for STEM professions and Switzerland as a manufacturing location, I pledged Brütsch/Rüegger Tools' extensive support. It was clear to me that we could perfectly support the demand for a state-of-the-art, largely digitalised training workshop with our digitalisation solutions."
This initial commitment has now grown into a lasting collaboration: Jan Sutter's vision of how knowledge should be imparted to young people and aspiring professional mechanics today and how a modern training centre should be designed to be both functional and practical has led to intensive collaboration with innovative and well-thought-out solutions. ‘In addition to a large part of the workshop equipment, tools, measuring equipment, etc., our commitment also includes workshops as part of the training on selected topics such as bonding technology and Industry 4.0,’ explains Olaf Sprich.
The story continues in the second part
The Campus Technik is a flagship project that is making a difference. In the next ToolNews, we will therefore take a closer look at the role of Swissmechanic and the other sponsors. In the third part, we will then examine how basic training in the technical professional world is being completely rethought at the Campus Technik – and why the key to overcoming the shortage of skilled workers can already be found here.